End effector with staple cartridge ejector

ABSTRACT

An end effector for a surgical stapling device includes an anvil, a multiple use loading unit, and an ejector assembly. The multiple use loading unit is pivotally secured to the anvil and includes a channel member defining a cavity and a staple cartridge received within the cavity. The staple cartridge has a distal portion having an angled lower surface. The ejector assembly includes an ejector button that is supported on the channel member and engages the angled lower surface of the staple cartridge such that movement of the ejector button from an advanced position to a retracted position in relation to the channel member lifts the distal portion of the staple cartridge from the cavity of the channel member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/056,695, filed Aug. 7, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Description

The present disclosure is directed to a stapling device and, more particularly to a stapling device including a multiple use loading unit (“MULU”) with a cartridge ejector.

2. Background of Related Art

Surgical stapling devices for treating, i.e., stapling and cutting, body tissue are well known in the surgical arts. Stapling procedures to simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, staple and cut tissue have been shown to be faster than conventional dissection and suturing procedures and thus, minimize trauma to a patient.

In order to minimize cost associated with conventional surgical procedures that require reuse of the surgical stapling device during a surgical procedure, surgical stapling devices including an effector having a MULU were developed. The MULU allows for reuse of the surgical stapling device by replacing a staple cartridge of the MULU.

In current stapling devices that include MULU's, a spent staple cartridge is replaced by inserting a shipping wedge into a slot on the MULU to release the spent staple cartridge from the MULU. However, in certain procedures, including surgical procedures performed robotically, the end effector returns to a home position after the staple cartridge is spent. In the home position, the clinician may have a difficult time accessing the slot making it difficult for the clinician to replace the spent staple cartridge.

A continuing need exist in the art for a mechanism that simplifies replacement of the MULU in a stapling device.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure is directed to an end effector for a surgical stapling device that includes an anvil, a multiple use loading unit, and an ejector assembly. The anvil has a first tissue contact surface that defines a plane. The multiple use loading unit is pivotally secured to the anvil and includes a channel member that defines a cavity and a staple cartridge that is received within the cavity. The staple cartridge has a body having a second tissue contact surface and defining a knife slot, and a plurality of staple receiving slots positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot. The staple cartridge has a distal portion having a lower surface that is angled towards the plane defined by the first tissue contact surface in a distal direction. The ejector assembly includes an ejector button supported on the channel member that is movable from an advanced position to a retracted position in relation to the channel member. The ejector button has a body including an upper surface that is angled towards the plane defined by the first tissue contact surface in the distal direction. The upper surface of the body of the ejector button is positioned to engage the lower surface of the distal portion of the staple cartridge such that movement of the ejector button from the advanced position to the retracted position lifts the distal portion of the staple cartridge from the cavity of the channel member.

In embodiments, the ejector assembly includes a biasing member that is positioned between the body of the ejector button and the staple cartridge to urge the ejector button to the advanced position.

In some embodiments, the channel member includes a distal portion that defines a recess and the ejector button includes a guide member that is received within the recess to guide movement of the ejector button between the advanced and retracted positions.

In certain embodiments, the recess and the guide member are configured to limit the ejector button to linear movement.

In embodiments, the guide member includes a protrusion that is configured to retain the guide member within the recess.

In some embodiments, the ejector body includes a support member that supports the biasing member.

In certain embodiments, the support member is cylindrical and the biasing member includes a coil spring, and a distal portion of the coil spring is received about the support member.

In embodiments, the end effector includes a drive screw and a clamping member supported within the cavity of the channel member, and the clamping member is supported on the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw advances the clamping member within the cavity.

In some embodiments, the ejector button includes a distal gripping surface.

In certain embodiments, the distal gripping surface includes a plurality of raised ribs.

In embodiments, the distal portion of the staple cartridge includes an upper surface that is contiguous with the first tissue contact surface and extends in a direction away from the plane of the first tissue contact surface.

In embodiments, the clamping member supports a knife blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed end effector of a surgical stapling device are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed end effector in the clamped position;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of end effector shown in FIG. 1 in the clamped position in the clamped position with the anvil shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the MULU of the end effector shown in FIG. 1 with a staple cartridge separated from a channel assembly of the MULU;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the distal end of an ejector button of the MULU shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the proximal end of an ejector assembly of the MULU shown in FIG. 3 including the ejector button shown in FIG. 4 and a biasing member with parts separated;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 2 ; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 2 with the ejector assembly actuated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The presently disclosed end effector including a staple cartridge ejector assembly will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , the presently disclosed surgical stapling device end effector is shown generally as end effector 10. The end effector 10 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes an anvil 12, a MULU 14, and a mounting portion 16. The mounting portion 16 facilitates attachment of the end effector 10 to a surgical stapling device (not shown). In embodiments, the surgical stapling device may include a robotic surgical system or a handheld device for actuating the end effector 10. For a more detailed description of a powered handheld device for actuating the end effector 10, see, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0310134 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The MULU 14 includes a channel member 20 and a replaceable staple cartridge 22. The channel member 20 is pivotally coupled to the anvil 12 (12) and is movable in relation to the anvil 12 to move the end effector 10 between spaced and clamped positions. The channel member 20 includes a base wall 24 (FIG. 3 ) and spaced side walls 26 that define a cavity 28 (FIG. 3 ) that receives the staple cartridge 22. In embodiments, each of the side walls 26 of the channel member 20 defines a notch 32 and includes an overhang 34 that extends into the cavity 28. The overhangs 34 and the notches 32 are positioned and configured to retain, align, and support the staple cartridge 22 within the cavity 28 of the channel member 20 as described in further detail below.

The anvil 12 defines a tissue contact surface 12 a (FIG. 1 ) and has a proximal portion 13 a and a distal portion 13 b. The tissue contact surface 12 a defines a plane that extends in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis “X” of the end effector 10 when the end effector 10 is in the clamped position.

The staple cartridge 22 includes a body 40 that defines linear rows of staple receiving slots 42. The linear rows of staple receiving slots 42 are positioned on opposite sides of a knife slot 44. The staple receiving slots 42 and the knife slot 44 open onto a tissue contact surface 46 of the staple cartridge 22. The body 40 of the staple cartridge 22 includes protrusions 50 that extend outwardly from the body 40 of the staple cartridge 22 and are positioned to be received within the notches 32 (FIG. 3 ) in the side walls 26 of the channel member 20. The body 40 of the staple cartridge 22 includes a distal portion 52 that has an upper surface 54 and a lower surface 56 (FIG. 6 .) The upper surface 54 of the body 40 is contiguous with the tissue contact surface 46 of the anvil 12 and is angled away from the plane defined by the tissue contact surface 46 in the distal direction. The lower surface 56 of the body 40 extends towards the plane defined by the tissue contact surface 46 of the anvil 12 in the distal direction and intersects the upper surface 54 of the body 40 at the distal end of the body 40.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the MULU 14 includes a clamping member 60 and a drive member 62. In embodiments, the drive member 62 defines a screw shaft 64 and the clamping member 60 defines a threaded bore (not shown) that receives the screw shaft 64 and is rotatable to advance the clamping member 60 through the channel member 20. The screw shaft 64 has a distal end 64 a that is rotatably supported on a bearing 70. The bearing 70 is supported on the base wall 24 of the channel member 20. In some embodiments, the clamping member 60 is in the form of an I-beam and supports a knife blade 72. The clamping member 60 is movable through the channel member 60 in response to rotation of the screw shaft 64 to define the maximum tissue gap between the tissue contact surfaces 12 a and 46 of the anvil 12 and the staple cartridge 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6 , the channel member 20 has a distal portion 72 (FIG. 3 ) that defines a recess 74 (FIG. 6 ). The distal portion 72 of the channel member 20 supports a cartridge ejector assembly 76 (FIG. 5 ) that includes an ejector button 80 and a biasing member 82. The ejector button 80 includes a body 84 including an upper surface 86, a guide member 88 that extends proximally from the body 84, and a support member 90. The upper surface 86 is angled downwardly in a proximal direction and is positioned in abutting relation to the lower surface 56 of the staple cartridge 22. The guide member 88 is received within the recess 74 of the channel member 20 and is dimensioned to confine the ejector button 80 to linear movement within the recess 74 in relation to the channel member 20. In embodiments, the guide member 88 includes a downwardly extending protrusion or hook 92 that is positioned within the recess 74 of the channel member 20 to prevent the ejector button 80 from being withdrawn from the distal end of the recess 74.

In embodiments, the support member 90 includes a cylindrical body 93 (FIG. 5 ) and the biasing member 82 includes a coil spring 94. The coil spring 94 has a distal end that is supported about the support member 90 and presses against the body 84 of the ejector button 80, and a proximal end that is pressed against an axially fixed portion of the channel member 20, e.g., the drive member 62, the bearing 70, etc. The coil spring 94 is positioned to urge the ejector button 80 towards an advanced position.

In embodiments, the ejector button 80 includes a distal gripping surface 98 (FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, the distal gripping surface 98 includes a plurality of raised ribs 100.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the ejector button 80 is positioned to move between the advanced position (FIG. 6 ) and a retracted position (FIG. 7 ) by pressing on or releasing the ejector button 80. In the advanced position, the upper surface 86 of the body 84 of the ejector button 80 is engaged with the lower surface 56 of the distal portion 52 of the staple cartridge 22. In the advanced position of the ejector knob 80, the staple cartridge 22 is supported within the cavity 28 of the channel member 20. When the ejector button 80 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow “A” in FIG. 7 to the retracted position, the lower surface 56 of the distal portion 52 of the staple cartridge 22 is urged upwardly in the direction indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 7 to lift the distal portion 52 of the staple cartridge 22 from the cavity 28 of the channel member 20. Operation of the ejector button 80 lifts the distal portion 52 of the staple cartridge 22 from the cavity 28 of the channel member 20 to allow a clinician to remove a spent staple cartridge 22 from the cavity 28 and replace it with a fresh staple cartridge 22.

Although the cartridge ejector assembly 76 is shown supported on a powered type end effector 10 which includes a driven screw shaft 64, it is envisioned that the ejector assembly could be easily incorporated into the end effector of a manually powered stapling device such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A loading unit comprising: a channel member defining a cavity and a staple cartridge received within the cavity, the staple cartridge having a body having a tissue contact surface defining a plane, a knife slot, and a plurality of staple receiving slots positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot, the staple cartridge having a distal portion having a first surface that is angled towards the plane defined by the tissue contact surface in a distal direction; and an ejector button supported on the channel member, the ejector button including a body having a second surface that is angled towards the plane defined by the tissue contact surface of the body of the staple cartridge in the distal direction, the second surface engaged with the first surface, wherein the ejector button is movable in relation to the staple cartridge from an advanced position to a retracted position to lift the staple cartridge from within the cavity of the channel member.
 2. The loading unit of claim 1, further including a biasing member positioned between the body of the ejector button and the staple cartridge, the biasing member being positioned to urge the ejector button to the advanced position.
 3. The loading unit of claim 2, wherein the channel member includes a distal portion having a recess and the ejector button includes a guide member that is received within the recess to guide movement of the ejector button between the advanced and retracted positions.
 4. The loading unit of claim 3, wherein the recess and the guide member are configured to limit the ejector button to linear movement.
 5. The loading unit of claim 3, wherein the guide member includes a protrusion that is configured to retain the guide member within the recess.
 6. The loading unit of claim 2, wherein the ejector body includes a support member that supports the biasing member.
 7. The loading unit of claim 2, wherein the support member is cylindrical and the biasing member includes a coil spring having a distal portion, the distal portion of the coil spring received about the support member.
 8. The loading unit of claim 2, wherein the ejector button includes a gripping surface.
 9. The end effector of claim 8, wherein the gripping surface includes a plurality of raised ribs.
 10. The loading unit of claim 2, wherein the staple cartridge includes a distal portion having a surface that is contiguous with the tissue contact surface and extends in a direction away from the plane of the tissue contact surface in the distal direction.
 11. A loading unit comprising: a channel member defining a cavity and a staple cartridge received within the cavity, the staple cartridge having a body having a tissue contact surface defining a plane, a knife slot, and a plurality of staple receiving slots positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot, the staple cartridge having a distal portion having a first surface that is angled towards the plane defined by the tissue contact surface in a distal direction; an ejector button supported on the channel member, the ejector button including a body having a second surface that is angled towards the plane defined by the tissue contact surface of the body of the staple cartridge in the distal direction, the second surface engaged with the first surface, wherein the ejector button is movable in relation to the staple cartridge from an advanced position to a retracted position to lift the staple cartridge from within the cavity of the channel member; and a biasing member urging the ejector button towards the advanced position.
 12. The loading unit of claim 11, wherein the biasing member is positioned between the body of the ejector button and the staple cartridge.
 13. The loading unit of claim 12, wherein the channel member includes a distal portion having a recess and the ejector button includes a guide member that is received within the recess to guide movement of the ejector button between the advanced and retracted positions.
 14. The loading unit of claim 13, wherein the recess and the guide member are configured to limit the ejector button to linear movement.
 15. The loading unit of claim 13, wherein the guide member includes a protrusion that is configured to retain the guide member within the recess.
 16. The loading unit of claim 11, wherein the body of the ejector button includes a support member that supports the biasing member.
 17. The loading unit of claim 16, wherein the support member is cylindrical and the biasing member includes a coil spring having a distal portion, the distal portion of the coil spring received about the support member.
 18. The loading unit of claim 11 wherein the ejector button includes a gripping surface.
 19. The loading unit of claim 18, wherein the gripping surface includes a plurality of raised ribs.
 20. The loading unit of claim 11, wherein the staple cartridge includes a distal portion having a surface that is contiguous with the tissue contact surface and extends in a direction away from the plane of the tissue contact surface in the distal direction. 